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The Idle No More Movement for Dummies (or, 'What The Heck Are All These Indians Acting All Indian-Ey About?')

Gyasi Ross

1/16/13

INTRODUCTION

Lately, Native people have taken to the streets malls in demonstrations of Public Indian-ness (“PI”) that surpasses the sheer volume of activism of even Alcatraz and the Longest Walk. There’s a heapum big amount of PI going on right now! Many people, non-Native and Native alike, are wondering what the heck is going with their local Native population and how this so-called #IdleNoMore Movement managed to get the usually muffled Natives restless enough to be Indian in public. I mean, like Chris Rock said, he hasn’t ever even met two Indians at the same time. He’s seen “polar bears riding a tricycle” but he’s “never seen an Indian family just chillin’ out at Red Lobster.”

Yet, now people can’t seem to get away from us.

And that’s cool—but isn’t that what pow-wows and November is for? People (non-Native and Native alike) can only take so much PI, right? Is that what the Idle No More Movement is—an extended Native American Heritage Month, where non-Natives have to act like they’re fascinated by Native culture?

In a word, no. It is much more. Please consider this a fairly exhaustive explanation of the Idle No More Movement, what it is not and what it is. If for some reason you cannot read the next 1000 or so brilliant words, I can be summed up thusly: the Idle No More Movement is not a new movement. Instead, it is the latest incarnation of the sustained Indigenous Resistance to the rape, pillage and exploitation of this continent and its women that has existed since 1492. It is not the Occupy Movement, although there are some similarities. It is not only about Canada and it is not only about Native people. Finally, and probably most importantly, it (and we) are not going away anytime soon. So get used to it (and us).

#IDLENOMORE MOVEMENT: WHAT IT IS ABOUT

"The ground on which we stand is sacred ground. It is the blood of our ancestors."

Chief Plenty Coups, Apsaalooke

“…you have come here; you are taking my land from me; you are killing off our game, so it is hard for us to live.”

Tasunke Witko (Crazy Horse), Oglala Lakota

As the above quotes display, the Indigenous Resistance to the raping and pillaging of the Earth is not new. Likewise, Indigenous peoples’ efforts to protect the mothers of our Nations—the women—are not new either. The Idle No More Movement is simply the latest chapter in that resistance.

It’s About: PROTECTING THE EARTH. Idle No More is an inherently grassroots and localized movement, informed by the founders, but with local flair.

First and foremost, the Idle No More Movement is about protecting the Earth for all people from the carnivorous and capitalistic spirit that wants to exploit and extract every last bit of resources from the land. Therefore, anybody who cares about this Earth should be interested in the Idle No More Movement. The engineers were Nina Wilson, Sheelah Mclean, Sylvia McAdam and Jessica Gordon. It was a response to Canada’s Bill C-45, which overhauled the Navigable Waters Protection Act and removed protections for many waters that go through First Nations. Changing the Act literally moves the emphasis of the protection—it morphs from protecting the waterways to protecting the navigation on those waterways. Now, instead of 30-some thousand lakes being protected under the old Act, only 97 lakes will be protected. As Canadian Parliament Member Kirsty Duncan eloquently states, “The days when Canadians take an endless abundance of fresh water for granted are numbered…”

These mobilized Native people wanted to ensure that children two, three and twelve generations from now would have clean water. The children who will benefit from the Native mobilization are notjust Native children—it’s for all children. Lakes and rivers tend to be either clean or dirty for Native and non-Native children alike.

It’s not a Native thing or a white thing, it’s an Indigenous worldview thing. It’s a “protect the Earth” thing. For those transfixed on race, you’re missing the point. The Idle No More Movement simply wants kids of all colors and ethnicities to have clean drinking water. It’s also not a “Canada” or “United States” thing. Multinational corporations do not care about borders and neither should we. Despite legislation to intended to prevent pollution, corporations pollute freely with almost complete impunity and our children are the ones who suffer. We likewise should not care about borders—we are mobilizing on both sides because we understand that what we do affects one another.

We will continue to aggressively organize and be Idle No More about the attempts to destroy our sacred lands, whether its Keystone XL Pipeline or Tar Sands Mining in Canada. We will be Idle No More on SSA Marine’s attempts to create a deep-water shipping terminal for water and air poisoning dirty coal in the Lummi waters near Puget Sound, WA or any disrespect to our lands.

We’re not going anywhere, we’re not going to be silent, we’re Idle No More !

It’s About: PROTECTING WOMEN. Similar to the sustained, capitalistic effort to exploit and pillage the Earth, the carnivorous, capitalistic nature has also exploited and abused women since the founding of both America & Canada. That is something else about which Indigenous people have vowed to be Idle No More. America’s first marriage and property laws, or ‘coverture,’ stipulated that married women did not have separate legal existences from their husbands. Indeed, a married woman was a dependent and could not generally own her own property or control her own earnings. “…once she married she became a legal nonentity. Her husband not only assumed her legal privileges and duties but certain rights to her property as well.” (Women, Family, and Community in Colonial America: Two Perspectives, Linda E. Speth, Alison Duncan Hirsch, Pg. 8.)

And that was for privileged white women. Obviously for Native women, Black women and any women of any other color who were unfortunate enough to live in the United States, it was much worse.

Congress’s recent failure to pass the Violence Against Women Act—specifically because Republicans did not want tribal law enforcement to be able to prosecute non-Native sexual deviants—is a continuation of that exploitation of our women. Similar to the “clean water” discussion, above, the protections afforded by the Violence Against Women Act protected women of all colors—not just Native women. Conversely, Congress’s failure to act on the Violence Against Women Act hurts all women. Strong Native women leaders like Deborah Parker and others are advocating for safety and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act for all women, not just a few.

It’s not a Native thing.

It’s a “NO women, of ANY color, should have to worry about getting raped” thing.

It’s a “NO women, of ANY color, should get beaten and battered” thing.

Those who are transfixed by race, again, are missing the point.

And we will continue to organize and be Idle No More about this attack on the women within our communities, as well as all communities. That is not new and it’s also not just about Native people.

We’re not going anywhere, we’re not going to be silent, we’re #IdleNoMore !

It’s Not an OCCUPY MOVEMENT. The Occupy Movement was powerful and necessary—yet the foundation was frankly not strong enough to sustain. Occupy was about a slowed-down economy and a lot of folks who were, unfortunately, out of work from that slowdown. As the economy began to improve in 2012 and also, significantly, the weather got colder, the Occupy Movement got noticeably weaker. As the economy got stronger, the sheer amounts at the Occupy events got smaller. Now, it looms very strong in everyone’s psyche, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not; Occupy emboldened the Idle No More Movement, just like Syria, Egypt and Libya emboldened the Idle No More Movement. Absolutely. Still, Idle No More is NOT Occupy for these reasons:

The Primary Reason #IdleNoMore is Not Occupy—Native economies are NOT getting any better. In many of our communities, there is 70% PLUS unemployment—more than a simple “boom and bust” economic upturn can fix. There are structural problems that will prevent a quick-fix, and therefore most Indigenous Idle No More will not have an economic incentive to stop their activism.

#2 Reason #IdleNoMore is Not Occupy—We’re Native… Hello? You’re not going to scare us off with the cold weather. My friends have literally texted me pictures of sisters and brothers in Alberta and Saskatchewan standing outside with #IdleNoMore signs in -35 degree weather; I have spoken at events where it is freezing and brothers and sisters are outside in t-shirts.

If we’re mobilizing 2,000, 2,500 people at an event in the freezing cold in January, just imagine how that number is going to multiply when it’s 65, 70 degrees outside.

#3 Reason #IdleNoMore is Not Occupy—Occupy was snapshot response to a 3 year economic downturn. #IdleNoMore is a continued response to more than 500 years of destroying the Earth and exploiting women. The foundation on which we're building is literally centuries of resistance.

Finally, it’s not Occupy because we are surrounding our advocacy around the specific substantive areas that were discussed earlier—protecting the environment and protecting Native women via the Violence Against Women Act. Yes, like Occupy, this is grassroots—the people are fluid and definitely can change. Indeed, the specific subjects that we choose to organize around certainly could change in the future—whatever we need to be Idle No More about. Still, for now fighting against gratuitous exploitation of our lands and fighting against violence against women are areas where good organization can make a difference.

CONCLUSION

This has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. Native people did begin this movement—energized by Chief Spence’s sacrifice and sparked by the Four Founders’ initiative. Yet this movement belongs to anybodywho wants to stand up for the Earth and women and also make a positive change in the community. That means that non-Natives are certainly welcome. We need non-Natives involved to save this Earth, to give our children and grandchildren the same quality of life that we have enjoyed. It’s about clean water. It’s about clean air. It’s about safety for all women. It’s about making a positive change in our communities. Critics seem to be so caught up on race; yet even racists want their children to have clean water just like non-racists. Right? Well, we want racists (and NON-racists, of course) to have kids with clean water too. Oh, and we don’t want them to get raped or beaten either.

Not too unreasonable, is it?

Here’s a little music and video to close this piece. It’s a project that we (Rock Paper Jet Productions, LLC) did with rapper and producer Brother Ali. Coincidentally, it doesn’t mention race—it mentions wanting to make the world slightly better. And when it comes down to it, that what the Idle No More Movement is about.

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Comments

This is fabulous!! THANK YOU for these 'brilliant' words, which I wil share with my fellow non-natives in the hope that information will help them wake up! THIS non-native is fully WITH YOU. Much love, brother.

Occupy loves #Idlenomore. I only became aware of your organization through Occupy support of Tar Sands Blockade, but realize you have existed a long time. We support your causes and help in any way we can.
You obviously are out of the loop regarding all the Occupy support you have received. Your organization was brought to my attention through your join efforts with the Tar Sands Brigade. You have been embraced by Occupy across the country and we are working hard to share you cause and actions.
In the "It's Not an Occupy #1 paragraph", it refers to Occupy as past tense (was). Perhaps you do not realize Occupy is alive and well. While we did not focus specifically on native economies, we continue to focus on all peoples, and have been continuously alive and strong. Support for "Idle" is one of the main reasons you are staying on the social media map. Occupy is also joining the actions physically in our local areas.
#2 It also states Occupy dwindled because of cold weather. The misconceptions that when the tents went, so did Occupy is not true. Occupy intentionally moved to Phase II, not needing tent cities any more. The tents accomplished their goal of getting "everyone knows our name" and we needed to bring focus to our issues, rather than whether we can use public space for overnight. We stand in cold or hot weather to support our causes. Wisconsin through the winter is a good example. You won't necessarily see Occupy signs, our signs will be supporting your causes. We are in solidarity.
In #3, Again you seem to think Occupy is not active and was a "snapshot response". You need to know we have never stopped in our efforts relating to protecting earth and all people. We are in it for the long hall. Our Occupy Facebook pages are alive and well.
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Sincerely, Occupy Orange located in the State of California

Very informative.I only hope the Native and Non-native people would educate themselves more on this important issue before making rude hateful comments to each other. I have encountered a lot of racism over the last month which is very saddening. I myself am Aboriginal and support the movement, however i see why the non- aboriginals are also"annoyed" of the situation; they simply don't know the reasons for the action's being taken. We can' t just buy bottled water when we run out of our water supplies; some of the public seem to think so though. So it is up to us to inform everyone on the subject, to gain community support or both Native and Non-natives.

My Oneida Nation sister is organizing a march for Friday @ 11:30 am to the shores of Lake Michigan where a prayer ceremony will take place. I'd like permission to quote your piece in case someone wants to know. thanks

This is ceremony! Ceremony that involves even the very young before they are deafened by a consumer culture that blinds them to tradsitional ways of "our ancestors" cultures of survival. This is storytelling! Storytelling that gives voice to our prayer, our prayers! The more we tell our story ~ the better it will become. Let them ALL hear our Spirit. . . .

I am so Happy, Proud, and indeed Humble to witness this continuance of asserting Our voice, the voices of those gone before Us, to be with Creator, and the unheard voices of those yet to be born . Many voices, speaking as One, United for the cause of protecting Mother Earth, and her children, as well as All creation .
My prayers and good thoughts, to those now on the front line of this struggle.
Stepping forward, replacing those of Us that are now aged, disabled, and passed. Stay strong, and don't waver, as You Now are the example of who We are . . . Past, Present and Future .
All my Relations
As always,
Klatush ThunderBear

Thank you, Gyassi, for this very helpful and well-written article. I am especially glad that you pointed out that these issues are evrybody's (and I would add every species of life on Earth's) issues, not just First Nations Indigenous people's issues. That said, it is beautiful, and absolutely appropriate, that the indigenous people of North America have "spearheaded" what is now becoming an international, soon-to-be worldwide human rights/earth justice movement. Even more appropriate that it has been indigenous women at the forefront. I am also glad to report to you (although you probably already know) that the movement is gaining incredible momentum and strength here in your home state. I also very much enjoyed the two videos at the end, especially seeing and hearing Ramona Bennett, still going strong. I will share this on Facebook.
I would also like to add that it is not just the water, but the air, the trees, and the ground itself, and all beings who are nourished by them, that are being harmed and killed by the governments of Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere who are in submission to the will of the corporatocracy. Not only does this need to be a worldwide movement, we need to have a worldwide re-thinking of economics and currency-based systems. The corporatocracy maintains and increases its destructive power over the world partly because the possession of currency and the power that our worldwide, interconnected monetary systems gives to those with the most money (and other resources) enables them to do so. Take away the power of money and their influence will evaporate eventually to nothing. Because the monetary system is really international and worldwide, it must be replaced through worldwide deliberation, creativity, and consensus. I know that many will say that that is "impossible," but all of the people who have created massive social change throughout human history had to throw that word out of their vocabulary. And, lastly, economies without currency have existed and prospered before: our ancestors and other indigenous peoples worldwide had sustainable, earth-friendly, non-monetary economies before the invaders came. Wunniook (Wampanoag for "be well and live in balance").

Women: You're talking a about the Napoleonic code; pertinent to Quebec, but not in any other province - unless the 'first nations' have adopted this code as their own.. Or are you speaking of a US situation? This is Canada
Where C-45 is concerned it's not just the native population who are concerned with the rivers and lakes I hope movement from all sides forces amendment of that act. The Idle No More movement will lose support all round if blockades continue.

Yes I agree about these subjects, but alot of you keep throwing in the native thing not just the children or the people you are using words of race, and as for fareness, which alot of first nation people say you white people have it all, well we don't .In a lot of situations we mit even have less. A lot of us work for min. wage, have no free medical, no free dental, our stuff, from child care to schooling to living is not paid for by the band or the counsel which the goverment gives money to. Like you say, we won't have clean water,clean rivers, freedom or rights for women. African American men had more rights then any woman and they we're slaves for many of years.Our goverment in alot of ways makes us prejudice on all sides. Things need to be equal for all races of people in a country for everyone to stand together. Oh and by the way I posted the article about bill c-45 on my face book site when it first happened and told people if we don't do something about this we are done for. We all need to stand up and voice are concern no matter what color, religon or race we are.

This is amazing and inspirational. I wish for positive change for the benefit of our earth and our women. Because benefitting one, benefits all.
Corporations that promote the destruction of the earth are run by people. People who have children and grandchildren. Identify the people running the corporations and their families. Appeal to the people, not to the entity of a corporation.

Wonderfully and concisely explained for all to understand,Gyasi. Mother Earth is definitely crying out in pain but the politicians and idustries are tuning her out. Keep up the great work of informing people of what Idle No More really is all about.Hopefully that the truth will finally win and a change will be made.This really sin't about race but about our future,our children's future and most of all,the future of this beautiful planet,Mother Earth :-) !!!

Wonderfully and concisely explained for all to understand,Gyasi. Mother Earth is definitely crying out in pain but the politicians and idustries are tuning her out. Keep up the great work of informing people of what Idle No More really is all about.Hopefully that the truth will finally win and a change will be made.This really sin't about race but about our future,our children's future and most of all,the future of this beautiful planet,Mother Earth :-) !!!

I am in on it! What do I do? I am a Canadian living in Summerlin, NV near Las Vegas. I have two girls and we go to look at the petroglyphs from the natives of days gone past that are here at the Red Rock Nature Perserve. This area used to support the small population of indig. people with plenty of water from natural springs. Now, the springs are depleated and Lake Meade (really a dammed river) is getting very low water level. Las Vegas will keep growing and so will LA which will take more water from the Coleraco river than the river can support. Patricia Rogers